Friday, May 19, 2017

Return of the Winged Visitors

In a world where humans are constantly shrinking boundaries under
the disguise of warring ideologies, one of God’s creation calls a stretch spanning
from Siberia to South Asia its home.

The migratory birds arrive in the country, covering an approximate
distance of 4,500 km via the Migratory Bird Route Number 4, commonly known as
the Indus Flyover. This famous route takes the birds from Siberia’s extreme winters
and pushes them over the Karakorum, Hindu Kush and Suleiman Ranges along the
Indus River to warmer delta areas.

Given Pakistan’s geographic location, we lie at the crossroads of the
bird’s migration. Hosting them should be considered a privilege as these guests
bring beauty and ecological benefits for our wetlands. One such spot is the triple complex, which consists of the
Uchali, Khabeki and Jhalar lakes (Uchali being the biggest lake among covering
an area of 950 hectares). The triple complex was declared a Ramsar Site, a
wetland of global importance in 1996, giving it the status of a wildlife
sanctuary.

The triple complex is situated in the Soon Valley, a key
biodiversity hotspot in Punjab province. Part of the Salt Range ecosystem, it
is the highest section of the entire range, with an average elevation of 800
metres above sea level. In addition to the lakes, the area boasts a forest
tract, which is the largest single compact block of scrub forest, known as
“sub-tropical broad leaved evergreen forest” in the province. In 1984, the Chinji Forest was notified as a national
park.

Along
with 173 avian species that are the highlight of this area, there are mammal
species (Punjab urial, wild boar, Asiatic jackal, cape hare, mongoose, pangolin
and the red fox) which have been reported from here, adding to its diversity.
The winged guests grace the lakes from November to March annually. This
important wintering ground hosts a wide range of birds including the greater
flamingo, common coot (maximum population during the season), common sand
piper, great cormorant, common teal, mallard, northern pintail, gadwall and
common black headed gull. There are a number of globally threatened and near
threatened species as well including the white headed duck, ferruginous duck
and common pochard.

Copy rights WWF-Pakistan

Dr Farooq Ahmed,
a local of the valley who has worked with WWF-Pakistan for approximately a
decade as conservation officer, shared that more than 50 different species
visit the area during the season and at any given time there are approximately
50,000 birds on these lakes. He also added that the most important bird that
visits the area is the white headed duck, whose population is endangered
globally. During the 1990s, its population that used to visit was estimated to
be more than 100, however in the recent years it is sadly limited to around 10
to 12 birds.

In recent years, environmentalists have noticed an alarming
decrease in numbers of migratory birds.This habitat has multiple threats that
are damaging the ecosystem both individually and collectively.

One of the key
issues is illegal hunting. It is believed by locals that this practice caused birds
to change their route as they avoided the area where they didn’t feel welcomed.
In Dr Farooq’s words, in the recent times illegal hunting has decreased considerably
and a lot of credit goes to the work done by WWF-Pakistan on ground with the
local communities. With increased awareness they now take full ownership and
understand that the health of this natural resource is connected to their own. A
few years back, due to the community’s strong opposition, the provincial
government had to stop issuing hunting permits for the area.

Other threats
include deforestation, land reclamation and degradation of the habitat due to
climate change, pollution and intensive agriculture.

Deforestation
adds to the issue of climate change by aiding rising temperatures and at the
same time causing erosion resulting in sedimentation turning the lakes murky.
Climate change is a very serious threat and the area underwent a drought during
this year’s migratory season, a repeat episode that was faced between 1997 and
2003. Intensive agriculture is another looming problem. Cabbage and potatoes
are planted off-season in the surrounding areas which puts additional pressure
on the water bodies.

Copy rights Fatima Arif

Among the triple
complex, Uchali Lake is the main tourist spot and the most foot traffic is seen
around local festivals and holidays. To accommodate this influx the race for blind
development is taking root which needs to be controlled before it develops into
an eye soar (examples of which we are all too familiar with). Case in point:
Kalar Kahar Lake, which has lost its charm. Tourists too need to be educated
and practice their civic duties and clean up after themselves. WWF-Pakistan has
installed dustbins at the facility but sadly, one often witnesses rubbish piled
up outside the bins and floating at the edge of the lake!

The valley’s
population is spread between 34 villages and small surrounding settlements in
the forest areas. They are the keepers of not just the rich biodiversity but also
of the rich heritage too of Soan Valley, as the area holds historical and archeological
importance. Links have been found to the Buddhist and Stone Age era.

During my visit
to the Uchali lake during the season, on the way back when the sun set on the lake,
with its display of changing colours, a sense of calm engulfed the entire
place. The sound of wind mingled with the chatter of birds formed the
background score, even the motor boat’s sound was in sync. As the mesmerizing
shades of the sky turned black, the transition of light shifted to the nearby
hills where the lights from a mosque (according to local lore Aurangzeb had
said his prayers here), to an adjacent mazaar and finally to the houses in the
surrounding villages representing civilization. A lone bright star in the sky
added to the ambiance of harmony and gave light of optimism for those of us
working for conservation. Despite their declining numbers in the previous
years, we have been informed that this year comparatively more birds arrived. I
said adieu to our guests with the hope that with continued efforts humans and
nature too will re-discover their harmony.

The article was originally written for Newsline Magazine. This blog post is the unedited version